8 Impressive Health Benefits of Kalonji (Nigella Seeds)-converted

8 Impressive Health
Benefits of Kalonji
(Nigella Seeds)
Also known as black cumin, nigella or by its scientific name Nigella sativa,
kalonji belongs to the buttercup family of flowering plants.
It grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and produces a fruit with seeds that are
used as a flavorful spice in many cuisines.
In addition to its culinary use, kalonji is known for its medicinal properties.
In fact, its use can be traced back several centuries as a natural remedy for
everything from bronchitis to diarrhea (1Trusted Source).
This article discusses 9 of the most impressive science-backed benefits of
kalonji, plus how you can add it to your diet.

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1. Packed With Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that neutralize harmful free radicals and prevent
oxidative damage to cells.
Research shows that antioxidants can have a powerful effect on health and
disease.
In fact, some studies indicate that antioxidants may protect against several
types of chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and
obesity (2Trusted Source).

Several compounds found in kalonji, such as thymoquinone, carvacrol, t-
anethole and 4-terpineol, are responsible for its potent antioxidant properties
(3Trusted Source).
One test-tube study found that kalonji essential oil also acted as an
antioxidant (4Trusted Source).
However, further research is needed to determine how the antioxidants found
in kalonji may impact health in humans.
2. May Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found throughout your body. While you
need some cholesterol, high amounts can build up in your blood and increase
your risk of heart disease.
Kalonji has been shown to be especially effective at lowering cholesterol.
One review of 17 studies found that supplementing with kalonji was
associated with significant decreases in both total and “bad” LDL cholesterol,
as well as blood triglycerides.

Interestingly, it also found that kalonji oil had a greater effect than kalonji seed
powder. However, only seed powder increased levels of “good” HDL
cholesterol (5Trusted Source).
Another study in 57 people with diabetes showed that supplementing with
kalonji for one year decreased total and LDL cholesterol, all while increasing
HDL cholesterol (6Trusted Source).
Lastly, a study in 94 people with diabetes had similar findings, reporting that
taking 2 grams of kalonji daily for 12 weeks reduced both total and LDL
cholesterol (7Trusted Source).
3. Could Have Cancer-Fighting
Properties
Kalonji is high in antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals that
may contribute to the development of diseases like cancer.
Test-tube studies have found some impressive results regarding the potential
anti-cancer effects of kalonji and thymoquinone, its active compound.
For instance, one test-tube study found that thymoquinone induced cell death
in blood cancer cells (8Trusted Source).

Another test-tube study showed that kalonji extract helped inactivate breast
cancer cells (9Trusted Source).
Other test-tube studies suggest that kalonji and its components may also be
effective against several other types of cancer, including pancreatic, lung,
cervical, prostate, skin and colon cancers (10Trusted Source).
However, there is no evidence on the anti-cancer effects of kalonji in humans.
Studies are needed to examine whether kalonji has any cancer-fighting
benefits when used as a spice or taken as a supplement.
4. Can Help Kill off Bacteria
Disease-causing bacteria are responsible for a long list of dangerous
infections, ranging from ear infections to pneumonia.
Some test-tube studies have found that kalonji may have antibacterial
properties and be effective at fighting off certain strains of bacteria.
One study applied kalonji topically to infants with a staphylococcal skin
infection and found that it was as effective as a standard antibiotic used to
treat bacterial infections (11Trusted Source).

Another study isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a
strain of bacteria that is difficult to treat and resistant to antibiotics, from the
wounds of diabetic patients.
Kalonji killed off the bacteria in a dose-dependent manner in over half of the
samples (12Trusted Source).
Several other test-tube studies have shown that kalonji can help inhibit the
growth of MRSA, as well as many other strains of bacteria (13Trusted Source,
14Trusted Source).
Yet, human studies are limited, and more research is needed to look at how
kalonji may affect different strains of bacteria in the body.
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5. May Alleviate Inflammation

In most cases, inflammation is a normal immune response that helps protect
the body against injury and infection.
On the other hand, chronic inflammation is believed to contribute to a variety
of diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease (15Trusted Source).
Some studies have found that kalonji may have powerful anti-inflammatory
effects in the body.
In one study in 42 people with rheumatoid arthritis, taking 1,000 mg of kalonji
oil daily for eight weeks reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress
(16Trusted Source).
In another study, inflammation was induced in the brain and spinal cord of
rats. Compared to a placebo, kalonji was effective at protecting against and
suppressing inflammation (17Trusted Source).
Similarly, a test-tube study showed that thymoquinone, the active compound
in kalonji, helped reduce inflammation in pancreatic cancer cells (18Trusted
Source).
Despite these promising results, most human studies are limited to people
with specific conditions. More research is needed to understand how kalonji
may affect inflammation among the general population.

6. Could Help Protect the Liver
The liver is an incredibly important organ. It removes toxins, metabolizes
drugs, processes nutrients and produces proteins and chemicals that are
crucial to health.
Several promising animal studies have found that kalonji may help protect the
liver against injury and damage.
In one study, rats were injected with a toxic chemical, either with or without
kalonji. Kalonji reduced the toxicity of the chemical and protected against liver
and kidney damage (19Trusted Source).
Another animal study had similar findings, showing that kalonji protected rats
against induced liver damage, compared to a control group (20Trusted
Source).
One review attributed the protective effects of kalonji to its antioxidant content
and ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (21Trusted Source).
However, more studies are needed to measure how kalonji may influence liver
health in humans.

7. Can Aid in Blood Sugar
Regulation
High blood sugar can cause many negative symptoms, including increased
thirst, unintentional weight loss, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Left unchecked in the long term, high blood sugar can lead to even more
serious consequences, such as nerve damage, vision changes and slow
wound healing.
See more: 8 Health Benefits Of Nigella Seeds
Some evidence shows that kalonji could help keep blood sugar steady and
thus prevent these dangerous adverse side effects.
One review of seven studies showed that supplementing with kalonji improved
levels of fasting and average blood sugar (22Trusted Source).
Similarly, another study in 94 people found that taking kalonji daily for three
months significantly reduced fasting blood sugar, average blood sugar and
insulin resistance (23Trusted Source).

8. May Prevent Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers are painful sores that form when stomach acids eat away at
the layer of protective mucus that lines the stomach.
Some research shows that kalonji could help preserve the lining of the
stomach and prevent the formation of ulcers.
In one animal study, 20 rats with stomach ulcers were treated using kalonji.
Not only did it result in healing effects in about 83% of rats, but it was also
nearly as effective as a common medication used to treat stomach ulcers
(24Trusted Source).
Another animal study showed that kalonji and its active components
prevented ulcer development and protected the lining of the stomach against
the effects of alcohol (25 Trusted Source).
Keep in mind that current research is limited to animal studies. Further
research is needed to determine how kalonji may affect stomach ulcer
development in humans.